Allen Jesse Breckenridge

Obituary of Allen J. Breckenridge (1921-2008) Allen Jesse Breckenridge was born June 7, 1921, in Shreveport, Louisiana to Asa Allen Breckenridge and Nelle Winifred Heikes Breckenridge. Most of his early years were spent in St. Joseph, Missouri, where he graduated from junior college. On June 25, 1944, Allen was joined in holy matrimony with Emma Jane Smith, who survives. Education was always an important part of his life. In 1970 he obtained a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Pittsburg State University, and later became a certified Reality Therapy Counselor. At the age of 50 he developed a passion for fitness, running 5 miles a day for several years. Even in later years he ran regularly, daily completing 50 minutes on a treadmill up to the age of 85. The past few years, he lived with Jane at the Grove's in Independence, Missouri, where he died on May 7, 2008, at the age of 86 years and 11 months. Allen was blessed with an exceptionally fine tenor voice, and a love of music, which he successfully imparted to his children, who are all accomplished musicians. However, rather than pursuing a music career, during his teen-age years he felt a call to serve the Lord, and at the age of 19, in 1941, became a full-time minister for the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now the Community of Christ). After attending a reunion in Washington, he and Edward Butterworth were recommended as missionaries to French Polynesia, in part due to their musical abilities. Allen and Jane were repeatedly assigned by the church to Tahiti and French Polynesia (from 1947– 1986), making a total of five trips to the church mission in the South Pacific. His devotion to the work of the church in Polynesia has created a lasting legacy in the islands. In addition to his work in French Polynesia, Allen also served the church as an Elder, Seventy, High Priest, Evangelist/Patriarch, and administrator in many areas of the United States, including Washington, Oregon, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida, Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, Illinois, Michigan, and Missouri. He served as a full-time minister for 45 years before he retired in 1986. His strong sense of the calling of God produced a devoted response which has had a strong effect on many lives, particularly through his calling in later years to the office of Patriarch/Evangelist and the many Patriarchal Blessings he gave. In fact, Allen's entire life may be said to have been guided by the scripture, "Take up your cross and follow Me." To the union of Allen and Jane Breckenridge were born three children: David Allen Breckenridge (Columbus, Ohio), Carol Lei Breckenridge (Pella, Iowa), and Mark Scott Breckenridge (Jacksonville, Florida). In addition they leave seven grandchildren: Christopher Allen Alvarez-Breckenridge, Jessica Breckenridge Post, Sanne Herrick Maki, Jessica Ann Breckenridge, Joshua Daniel Breckenridge, Johnathan David Breckenridge, and Jerome Allen Breckenridge, and three great-children: Jonathan, Matthew, and Jaden. Also surviving are nephews and nieces William Smith, Evelyn Smith Steele, Randy Smith, Jane Ritzma, Judy Webster, and James Breckenridge. Predeceasing Allen are his parents and his two brothers, James Breckenridge and Robert Breckenridge. Music playing at the beginning and during the memorial service is from a recording made in 1961 of hymns sung in Tahitian by three sets of missionary families: Allen and Jane Breckenridge, Edward and Lily Rae Butterworth, and Alan and Gladys Tyree. The family is grateful to the Grove's for all it's loving care of Allen during the final years of his journey on earth. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to the Twin Rivers Community of Christ congregation in O'Fallon, Missouri, and/or the Alzheimer's Association.